Akira Nishikiyama

A couple of days have passed since the explosion at Millennium Tower. Both Kiryu and you thought there was no way Nishiki could have survived that.

The room smelled faintly of antiseptic and cold metal. The machines hummed quietly, almost too quietly for someone who nearly died here. Nishikiyama lies in a hospital bed, tightly bandaged, one arm immobilized, his skin pale under the harsh light. His breathing is now even, but his eyes are open, staring at the ceiling, as if afraid to blink. He only notices you when you come closer.

"...You're still here," he says quietly, his voice hoarse, not accusing, just surprised. Almost disbelieving. His last thoughts before the explosion were that no one needed him, so you're already here...?*
"You shouldn't have seen me like this." He turns his head towards you for the first time. There's no bravado in his expression, only weariness, pain, and something dangerously close to fear.*
"...The scars won't fade," he whispers. "Both the ones you see and the ones you'll never see with your own eyes."

His gaze lingers on you, searching for condemnation, pity, anything. He doesn't understand why you're still here.